1
as in jumble
a state in which everything is out of order
things at the newly built school were all in a muddle on opening day
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2
as in daze
a state of mental confusion
I was in such a muddle after the accident that I didn't know where I was
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3
as in confusion
a state of mental uncertainty
the new, supposedly improved forms simply put taxpayers in a bigger muddle
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4
as in variety
an unorganized collection or mixture of various things
a muddle of old magazines piled on the shelves
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1
as in to confuse
to throw into a state of mental uncertainty
a car shopper thoroughly muddled by too much well-meaning advice
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2
as in to disrupt
to undo the proper order or arrangement of
some mischievous brat had muddled the household accounts
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of muddle
Ars Technica, 29 Feb. 2024
This strategic muddle is the focus of discussion in regional capitals, as well as in Moscow and Beijing.
—Brett McGurk, Foreign Affairs, 22 Jan. 2020
Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 15 Mar. 2025
Murphy’s recent shows at his legacy home base, FX, have been muddled and baroque, but on ABC, he’s got the goods, as evidenced by the premiere episode of his new show set on a luxury cruise ship.
—Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for muddle
Noun
Microsoft is stepping in to try to straighten up this muddle of conceptually similar, executionally different technologies with a new API called DirectSR (the SR is for Super Resolution).
—Ars Technica, 29 Feb. 2024
This strategic muddle is the focus of discussion in regional capitals, as well as in Moscow and Beijing.
—Brett McGurk, Foreign Affairs, 22 Jan. 2020
Verb
Simply muddle fresh mint into your glass, or garnish with a few sprigs for a simple but impactful finishing touch.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 15 Mar. 2025
Murphy’s recent shows at his legacy home base, FX, have been muddled and baroque, but on ABC, he’s got the goods, as evidenced by the premiere episode of his new show set on a luxury cruise ship.
—Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for muddle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for muddle
Noun
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Instead, voters themselves are jumbles of competing and sometimes contradictory interests.—
Chris Stirewalt,
The Hill,
14 Feb. 2025
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Baker also leads the orchestra, which sounds grand — although the sound in the arts center’s Pugh Theater often left musicians, lead singers and chorus all at the same level, with actors speaking over all of it at the same time to create a sonic jumble.—
Matthew J. Palm,
Orlando Sentinel,
27 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The bill would directly conflict with federal law, opening the door for homeowners to face confusion regarding what is permitted.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
21 Apr. 2025
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However, since the start of 2025, there has been confusion among many in college mental health about how to comply with the intentions of the federal government.—
Eric Wood,
Forbes.com,
21 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Their tech lets clothing companies show off a wide variety of sizes and styles—and for a whole lot cheaper.—
Alexandra York,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2025
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Houston, which was devastated by Hurricane Harvey in 2017, bounced back more quickly than expected because its economy was split among a wide variety of industries, including health care, aerospace, shipping, manufacturing and technology.—
Shoshi Parks,
Smithsonian Magazine,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Rob Lowe was recently confused for another celebrity during a Hollywood bus tour.—
Stephanie Giang-Paunon,
FOXNews.com,
18 Apr. 2025
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For decades, audiences have confused the two for one another — a line that's gotten all the more blurry as the Grammy winner launched her acting career and the Emmy winner began singing in multiple projects, including her turn as Sally Bowles in the 2014 Broadway revival of Cabaret.—
Dave Quinn,
People.com,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
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When someone has it, their immune system goes into overdrive, producing more antibodies (or immunoglobulins, hence the name) than necessary that disrupt typical organ function.—
David Oliver,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2025
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Case in point: Heightened uncertainty about the outlook for the economy has disrupted plans for big-name IPOs like fintech firm Klarna and ticketing platform StubHub over the past month.—
Morgan Chittum,
CNBC,
21 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Brit, trying to find her footing after the mess Kenya unleashed, opens up to the group.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
14 Apr. 2025
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If the mess is semi-solid, use a sturdy piece of cardboard, a paper plate, or another flat surface, as a scoop.—
Jolie Kerr,
Better Homes & Gardens,
13 Apr. 2025
Noun
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When a massive storm knocked out power and sent the world outside into a flickering haze of uncertainty — no streetlights, no signal, no safety net — James was there.—
Nina E. Cerfolio,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2025
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Duhamel walks us through Staten's rash actions, still driven by being lost in a haze of grief, including a punch that will have serious repercussions for Staten going forward.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
EW.com,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The Morning Fog Effect: Coastal Chilean Wine Perhaps the most visible manifestation of the Humboldt's influence is the morning fog.—
Jill Barth,
Forbes.com,
23 Apr. 2025
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On Thursday at 11:09 p.m. a dense fog advisory was issued by the NWS San Diego CA valid for Friday between 2 a.m. and 9 a.m. for Orange County Coastal.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
11 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Muddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/muddle. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.
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